Maddy summaryHB 960 amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. It makes a technical change within a section that concerns the short title of that section.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires hospitals and birthing centers to adopt and maintain written policies and procedures authorizing a patient enrolled in the medical assistance program to select an Illinois Medicaid certified and enrolled doula of the patient's choice to accompany the patient within the facility's premises for the purposes of providing support before, during, and after labor and childbirth, and during the patient's entire postpartum stay. Provides that the doula shall be considered part of the patient's care team and shall not be counted as a support person or against any guest quota. Requires hospitals and birthing centers to provide a written copy of their policies and procedures to maternity patients, the facilities' maternity health care providers, and any other person at the patient's request. Requires publication of the written policies on each facility's website. Contains provisions concerning hospital and birthing center liaisons and doulas certification acknowledgment requirements. Permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Public Health to establish standing recommendations to meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements and ensure access to preventive services, including Medicaid-covered maternal and reproductive health supports and services.
Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall authorize the examination of applicants as pharmacists at such times and places as it may determine (rather than not less than 3 times per year). Provides that the Department and the Board of Pharmacy shall regularly monitor the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination or its successor to ensure that the examination of applicants is of a character to give a fair test of the qualifications of the applicant to practice pharmacy. Provides that applicants for examination as pharmacists for the calendar years 2025, 2026, and 2027 shall be required to pass only the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination. Provides that the results from the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for such applicants shall be disregarded and shall not prohibit an applicant who has successfully passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination from engaging in the practice of pharmacy. Provides that applicants for examination as pharmacists shall be required to pay, either to the Department or the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (rather than the designated testing service), a fee covering the cost of providing the examination. Provides that the Department shall notify applicants taking the examination of their results no later than 2 weeks after (rather than within 7 weeks of) the examination date. Makes conforming changes.
Declares May 2026 as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Awareness Month in honor of those surviving daily with EDS. Encourages scientific research and funding towards finding a cure.
Declares April 2026 as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in the State of Illinois to help increase public awareness of the need to support individuals with autism and the family members, medical professionals, and human services professionals who help care for individuals with autism.
Creates the Labor Compliance Disclosure for Health Care Facilities Act. Requires each applicant to submit a labor compliance disclosure statement as a condition of approval by the Health Facilities and Services Review Board and the Illinois Finance Authority for any project involving State-supported bonds or financing. Provides that the Health Facilities and Services Review Board and the Illinois Finance Authority shall consider disclosed labor violations as part of their assessment of: (1) financial feasibility; (2) management capability; and (3) public interest and community impact. Sets forth provisions concerning verification and interagency coordination and penalties for non-disclosure or misrepresentation. Provides that the Health Facilities and Services Review Board and the Illinois Finance Authority shall adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the Act no later than 90 days after the effective date of the Act.
Reaffirms the commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister-state relationship between the State of Illinois and Taiwan, the Republic of China (ROC). Reaffirms support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and supports Illinois businesses referring to Taiwan as "Taiwan". Endorses Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) with the United States. Supports the further strengthening of a closer economic and trade partnership between the State of Illinois and Taiwan with multiple possible approaches, including signing an economic and trade memorandum of understanding, exploring the possibility of establishing an Illinois Office in Taiwan, and sending Illinois high-level officials to visit Taiwan without being threatened by any adversary forces. Supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, which impact the well-being of the peoples of Taiwan, the State of Illinois, the U.S., and the world. Opposes any distortion or misuse of UNGA Resolution 2758 to attempt to deny Taiwan's aspiration to make contributions in international societies.
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2027, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $33.92 to sustain a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour for direct service workers. Requires rates in subsequent State fiscal years to be no lower than the rates put into effect upon federal approval. Provides that in order for a provider of in-home services to be eligible to receive the $33.92 rate, the provider must pay a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour to all direct service workers employed by the provider. Requires providers of in-home services to certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Requires each provider of in-home services to submit cost reports to the Department consistent with a specified administrative rule in order to be eligible for the $33.92 rate for in-home services. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the described rate increases. Requires the Department, beginning January 1, 2027, to ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 79% of the total payments the provider receives for home care aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires annual direct service worker cost reports from providers; and requires the Department to amend existing rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs to reflect the increase in the direct service worker spending requirement from 77% to 79%.
Declares February 24, 2026 as SCN2A Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages all residents of Illinois to participate in activities and wear purple, blue, or green on this day to bring awareness of these disorders and the need for treatment.
Commends the City of Crest Hill on the 84-year anniversary of the dedication of the Lidice Memorial. Expresses the deepest gratitude to Crest Hill and its residents for their multigenerational dedication to maintaining such a worthy, globally-recognized endeavor. Urges remembrance of the martyred Village of Lidice by Illinoisans, Americans, and people across the world as a moment in history that should never be forgotten.
